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New England Notebook By JOE niKSCII See Business Upturn at Rockingham Run Bunker Hill Invitation June 17 Phil Schwartz N. E. Circuit Regular ROCKINGHAM PARK, Salem, N. H., June 7. After a sluggish start, business picked up somewhat on Saturday, here at the gateway to New ... . ... . . I..... . J i: t 3 Ciiigiuuu a vauaiiuiuiuiu. While the handle of ,004,977 fell short of last years average week-end figures, track officials took some encouragement from the turnout of 13,537. A post - memorial day slump saw m u t u e 1 patronage and attendance off more than 20 per cent during this past week and some concern at Rockingham was apparent. However, Lou Smith and his associates are confident that business will resume in earnest with the closing of schools and the beginning of the vacation season. Plans, for special events during this two-month summer meeting are well under way, including the Bunker Hill Invitation Mile scheduled for June 17. This feature has travelled a somewhat rocky course since it was conceived some weeks ago. Originally planned for horses stabled on the grounds, invitations have now been extended to several notable handicap aces campaigning in the New York area. Joe W. Browns Matagorda, winner of the Ballot Handicap at Belmont last Friday, is a likely participant, and representatives of Rockingham are in tough with Bill Winfrey and Bobby Dotter about the possibility of Find and Landlocked going in the 0,000 added event. Among the locals, Larry Ellis, Andre, Park Dandy. and possibly Soldier Son may compete. Sam Tufanos Wise Margin and Mike Freemans Parnassus will fulfill engagements at Chicago and Jersey respectively and hence are not under consideration. Maurice Sims good three-year old Blessbull, around whom much of the controversy has centered, is a strong threat at the mile route and under the ; expected impost of 108 pounds. Phil Schwartz "veteran campaigner Busy Signal, recorded his first victory of the season here in a feature the other day. The popular five-year-old has been a steady winner for the Connecticut horseman since Schwartz claimed him at Aqueduct three years ago for 0,000. Bred in California by A. G. Vanderbilt, Busy Signal has been an adaptable horse, winning from up front or off the pace with equal consistency. Busy Signals stablemate Charleston is another of Schwartz reliable veterans and the seven-year-old son of Some Chance Charlotte Girl has many supporters in these parts. Schwartz has been closely identified with New England racing for a long period and maintains a home at Suf field, Conn., where he winters his stock. Local enthusiasts should remember Schwartz fine handicap horse of several years ago, Napper Tandy. His father was a prominent horseman in his own right, closely identified with Chicago racing circles. The younger Schwartz was sent West to convalesce after a childhood illness and after regaining his health, returned to the East and was a noted polo player at Yale. Since then he has devoted himself to the turf and his silks red with a white setter back and front are well known along the circuit. The design incidentally, stems from the English Setters which he exhibits at dog shows throughout the country. Following the completion of this Rockingham meeting, Schwartz is going to Saratoga, an annual custom, for the pleasant racing offered at this historic track in upper New York state. Hell take his entire string of 15 thoroughbreds, including a quartet of two-year-olds for Bayard Tuckerman, Jr., the well-known New England horseman. All four are by Rhodes Scholar, the famous sire who stands at Tuckermans fine breeding farm at South Westport, Mass. None of the youngsters has raced yet, but Schwartz has great hopes, particularly for Sligo Rock, a brown filly chose dam was Speaking Rock. Around the track: Week-end visitors for the White Mountain Handicap included Judge Pappas of Suffolk Downs, Judge Dooley and James H. Fisher of Narragan-sett and B. A. Dario and Francis Smith of Lincoln Downs.
